Explanation of functional factors affecting the success of public spaces and providing a model for assessing success through its functional dimension (Case study: Imam Khomeini Street, Tabriz, Iran)

Abstract

The conditions that different cities including Iranian cities are confronted with makes the creation of successful public spaces a necessity. It is clear that for creating suitable public spaces, first one should understand the factors influencing the space and simultaneously find solutions to spatial problems through understanding the environment. In order to arrive at the factors that influence the success of space, important theories about this subject matter were reviewed. These sources include writings by White, Montgomery, Jacobs, Gehl, Carr, Oldenburg and the experience of renowned international institutes. Finally a model for space evaluation based on place game model of PPS institute was presented. The methodology of this research is testing and verifying theory and to do this the Correlation Test was used. At first, the factors influencing the success of public spaces are categorized as “comfort”, “activity”, “access”, and “socialability”. These factors were deducted from the place model and place game checklist of PPS institute and the theoretical framework presented in this paper. Then, by means of critical observation, questionnaires, the Llewlyn Davies scale and field survey techniques, data was collected to satisfy the requirements of the place evaluation model. In order to analyze the spatial success of Imam Khomeini Street in Tabriz, the interpolation model of GIS software was used. The result showed that Abresan Street is the most successful section with Saat, Mansoor and Golestan sections following respectively. The results of the investigation shows that from the highlighted factors “comfort” and “image” are the most important requirements for the success of public places.